LegalHub.help and Human Constanta Presented New Project “Childoc” at European Parliament Event

Alena Chekhovich and her colleagues spoke at the European Parliament during an event organised by the Apatride Network, at the invitation of Estonian MEP Yana Toom. They introduced the new project Childoc, which seeks to protect the rights of every Belarusian child born in exile to nationality and legal identity.

The need for such a project is urgent. Without proof of nationality, Belarusian children born in exile face significant barriers to education, healthcare, and social services. They are also at heightened risk of exploitation and social marginalisation. This situation constitutes both a humanitarian crisis and a serious violation of children’s rights, leaving many vulnerable to statelessness and exclusion from essential services.

The event itself was historic: it marked the first time that a European Parliament event was organised by a stateless-led organisation. Apatride Network, Right to Protection, LegalHub.help, and Dimitry Kochenov, Lead Researcher of the Democracy Index’s Rule of Law Workgroup, used the platform to challenge common misconceptions about statelessness and highlight that this human rights issue remains very much a domestic concern within the EU.

We extend our gratitude to colleagues who tirelessly work to amplify the voices of stateless people, treating them as active participants rather than passive subjects of discussion, as well as to the European Parliament representatives who support these efforts.